Thoughts on Liberalism and Religion

Former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has recently claimed that liberals who are not tolerant of religious views are illiberal and that liberalism had “eaten itself”.  He went on to say (a little bizarrely) that liberalism is only liberal as long as it is grounded in Christianity – the opinion piece on The Guardian can be found here: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/28/liberalism-eaten-itself-british-religious-liberty-christianity-tim-farron

In truth, the Guardian opinion piece is an edited version of a longer speech he gave to a Christian think-tank called Theos and removes much of the context, but nonetheless I found myself disagreeing with him over some of the main points even within the context of the entire speech.  Especially the claims that liberalism has “eaten itself” (which he convolutedly explains but I take to mean that liberalism has triumphed in becoming the dominant ideology but in its success has abandoned its founding principle - freedom of religion – so its success is meaningless).

I’ll set out my stall: I'm a liberal and I’m also an atheist. I believe, that broadly across the world, religion does more harm than good and freedom from religion is fast becoming more desirable than freedom of religion.  Shortly after Tim Farron was elected leader of the party in 2015 (and after I voted for him) I challenged him on his views on gay sex.

I’m glad I voted for him he was an outstanding leader.

I enjoyed reading his full speech and I really admire the strength of devotion he has to his faith. Sometimes, I wish I could have the unwavering trust and hope of the religious believer but I am just not wired that way.  I keep an open mind and I’m cautiously optimistic; but I’m critical, I demand evidence, and I try to see the world as it is not how I’d like it to be.

It was thought provoking to read Tim’s vehement discussion of what faith means to him, but it is something that is completely alien to me.  His claims about Christianity representing the truth may be his reality, but I find it baffling and not at all convincing.  He spoke a little about atheism and secularism and I could write hundreds of words of analysis disagreeing with him.

But despite this, I think that our own personal ideas of liberalism are almost identical: freedom, equality, rule of law. 

The difference is that Tim’s liberalism originates from his devotion to Christianity and the teachings of Jesus Christ; mine comes from the belief that individuals are sovereign and should be empowered to be the best they can be, and to lift others up too. Maybe my concept of liberalism is rooted in secularism, I’ve never really thought about it like that before – it’s simply how I’ve come to see world.

Religious faith is an issue where we can agree to disagree.  But for Tim to now call out liberalism itself, at a time when it is under threat from some real bad guys around the world, sounds like sour grapes.

Many of Tim’s assessments of liberalism are correct: it fosters debate so can mean giving and taking criticism and sometimes offence; but, Tim – this applies to your beliefs and world views as well. 

Challenging Tim Farron’s (or any other religious individual) position with regards to gay sex doesn’t mean you’re intolerant or illiberal, it means you’re participating in a debate in a democracy; and if religious doctrines come under attack then that’s part and parcel with living in a liberal democracy – no beliefs or ideas are protected.  

Ultimately, there’s a missing link in Farron’s analysis of the state of liberalism and faith: times change - religion is on the way out.  More than half the UK identifies as being non-religious and there are several western democracies where religion is on course to become extinct.  Liberalism is an old ideology, it’s important to take into account the context in which it exists, and that context is different now from the time of the nonconformist evangelical Christians Tim claims founded British liberalism.  It is one thing to extemporise on the state of Christianity and liberalism to an audience at an event hosted by a Christian think-tank, but the reality in broader society is very different.  

Liberalism's religious history does not mean it has a religious present, and it certainly doesn’t guarantee it a religious future.  In my opinion, liberalism hasn’t changed and it hasn’t become any less tolerant; rather the context in which it now exists is increasingly less religious which has resulted in Tim’s dilemma.  Tim Farron was challenged on his views on gay sex not out of intolerance but because a nonreligious society can’t comprehend such a devout commitment to religious doctrine – especially when it could be so easily interpreted (and as it ended up being spun by the media) as a liberal leader who wasn’t actually very liberal.  Of course, as in any debate (especially with social media), there are those who will be intolerant or nasty, but you can’t conclude from these individuals that the entire ideology of liberalism has lost its way.

More broadly, Farron’s dilemma is a screenshot of a 21^st century ideological collision: the remnants of a religious and conservative country facing the new reality of non-religion and the growing call for secularisation that will surely follow. The result is religious people feeling victimised because their beliefs no longer command authority or enjoy the obscene privilege they once had in British life - especially that of thinking they have an infallible claim to morality and understanding the human condition.

In its moderate forms religious belief gives fulfilment to so many people.  However, religion is routinely used as weapon to crush vulnerable or minority groups, historically in this country, and also in the present day in countries around the world. 

Tim goes on to argue that this country doesn’t have shared values, but I think a better phrase is that this country doesn’t have a shared ideology.  Peace, tolerance, individuality, respect for life – these values, irrespective of faith, are shared by the majority of people in the UK: it’s our collective psyche that liberal Britain has bestowed upon us.

Liberalism will continue to be liberal even as religion declines.  And if you’re an atheist like me, you would argue that non-religion creates an even better foundation for liberal values as people are free from dogma, conformism, and can think as individuals.

Liberalism hasn’t “eaten itself”.  It’s all part of the ongoing cycle of agreeing to disagree, of living to let live.  There’s no need for liberals to take aim at each other; we’re wasting shots while far-right authoritarianism is left to thrive so contently.